CV-22 Osprey

Soldiers with the 19th Special Operations Group practice fast-roping out of a CV-22 Osprey in preparation for a routine training operation at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Nov. 4, 2015. Ultimate Archer was a task force exercise that put Air Commandos in an unfamiliar environment to practice deployed operations. The six-day exercise gave Hurlburt Airmen a chance to work with units outside of the 1st Special Operations Wing including the 388th Fighter Wing and the 19th SOG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kai White)

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Mission
The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

Features
This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor and other advanced avionics systems that allow it to operate at low altitude in adverse weather conditions and medium- to high-threat environments.

Background
The CV-22 is the Special Operation Forces variant of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The first two test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in September 2000. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M., began CV-22 aircrew training with the first two production aircraft in August 2006.

The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command in January 2007. Initial operational capability was achieved in 2009. A total of 51 CV-22 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2019.